Meet Fiona Dolan

Two words that I would use to describe myself are positive and outgoing!

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

I believe being happy is achieving your goals by doing what you love. It’s cliche, but it’s true, because I wouldn’t want to spend my life dreading waking up in the mornings.

What is the trait you are most grateful for in yourself?

The trait I’m most grateful for in myself is my optimism. I’ve always had a habit of trying to find the “silver lining” in most situations, looking on the bright side even if things don’t go the way I’ve planned, so this trait has honestly shaped me to be the person I am today.

What is the trait you most cherish in others?

Caring is a trait that I definitely cherish in others. It’s hard to have a friend that never asks how you are doing, or only talks about themselves. If I’m having a bad day, it’s actually so great to have someone even just text me and be like, “Hey, you okay?” That way I know I, have people to talk to whenever I need them.

What breaks your heart?

Oh jeez! That’s hard. I would say that lately, what breaks my heart is seeing amazing people be unhappy with who they are. It’s like, these beautiful, smart, talented people I know still have no idea how incredible they really are, and it’s sad to see those insecurities weigh them down in life.

What is your current state of mind?

I would say my current state of mind is nervous but ready. Junior year starts next week- the year of major standardized testing, my hardest AP classes yet, applying for colleges, getting a job, and also trying to be a regular human being that isn’t a ball of stress. However, I think I’ve really become my own person and matured a great deal recently which makes me excited to see how my future is going to unfold.

If you could inspire one change in yourself, what would it be?

This would be learning to accept myself for who I am and what I believe in. I think this is a really important aspect in life, because If I fully appreciate myself, I can fully appreciate others.

If you could inspire one change in the world, what would it be?

A few of my friends and I have recently started to raise awareness of teenage sexual assault and violence. Our ultimate goal is to start an organization in Bend that helps teach people about how serious the cause is, and help stop assaults from happening. This is a change I would love to see in the world.

Where do you look for inspiration in your daily life?

I come across inspiration every day. I am truly inspired by people, however. Even in my small town of Bend, Oregon, there are so many great people doing great things, like pursuing different forms of arts, or volunteering, or supporting a major cause they are passionate about. I hope to be inspiring and looked up to too, one day!

What do you want to be remembered for?

I want to be remembered for lots of things, so this is hard. Being a kind compassionate person is extremely important, so I would love to be remembered for that. I think that once you meet a person who truly cares about you, it’s hard to forget them. I’ve met a few people like this who have really made an impact on my life.

What is your motto?

As Albus Dumbledore, for J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter series, once said, “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” I think this is a really great quote to live by (and I’m a huge Harry Potter fan).

Because this is our “Back to School” Issue:

Who are your greatest teachers?

I had some really great teachers my sophomore year for really hard classes I was taking. They helped me understand that it’s okay to mess up and be wrong sometimes, and that I should always work hard to peruse my goals! My family and friends have also been some of my greatest teachers, even if they don’t work at my school.

What has been your most difficult lesson?

I was in one of the hardest classes at Summit High School last year. It was definitely difficult, but not only did it help me to become smarter and get a good grade in the class, it helped me to learn to work through frustrations and to not give up! After taking that class, I feel like I could do anything I set my mind to.

What are you learning right now?

Right now, I’m learning a lot of things. I’m learning new ways to write, easier ways to solve tricky math problems, and I’m also learning about the world around me, who I am right now, and who I hope to be one day.

Thank you for the inspiration. xo, muse.

About Muse

Muse is a source of inspiration, a heartbeat, a movement, a call to action, a question, an answer, support, celebration, nourishment, a standing ovation, a sense of wonder, a platform, an invitation, a conversation, a voice…your voice, our collective voice.